Kingdom Hearts 4has a lot of potential, especially when it comes to its narrative and structural elements. While it will definitely be interesting to see if and how the nextKingdom Heartsincorporates elements from IP likeStar Wars, Marvel, and other unexplored Disney properties, not to mention how Square Enix takes its complex story forward, it may be just as important for it to hone in on more fundamental mechanical improvements.
Combat inKingdom Heartsis solid: most games in the series follow a typical action-RPG formula, wherein players master combos, positioning, stat-tweaking, and gear collecting with the goal of growing ever more powerful. The franchise has a bit of an ace up its sleeve, or a wildcard, as it were, thanks to its crossover premise. Characters and concepts from Disney and Square Enix properties can make an appearance in combat, withKingdom Hearts 3arguably taking this feature further than ever. ButKingdom Hearts 3also represents the flaws with the series' hack-and-slash combat model, which has grown a bit stagnant over the years, not seeing major alterations or innovations between entries.Kingdom Hearts 4may be the perfect time to remedy this.
A Sekiro-Style Combat System Would Fit Kingdom Hearts Well
The Inherent Strengths of Sekiro’s Combat
With so many games taking clear queues fromFromSoftware’s expertly craftedSekiro: Shadows Die Twice, audiences could be forgiven for feeling that the template is growing long in the tooth. However, the brilliance ofSekiro’s combat design is that it can be viewed as more of a general philosophy than a strict set of rules to adhere to. A game doesn’t need to have its own version of Mikiri Counters or Prosthetic Arts to channelSekiro’s strengths.
Sekiro-style combat can be described with one word: momentum. Most melee-based action games offer defensive options, butSekiro’s combat mechanicshinge on the idea of defense and offense working together. Deflecting blows will decrease an enemy’s posture, which can culminate in either a killing blow or massive damage, but lowering an enemy’s health will also help decrease posture, as lower health correlates with slower recovery. The interplay of these two variables—health and posture—results in a combat experience defined by constant forward movement, or momentum, as defense is merely another offensive option. Instead of just blocking to avoid damage, players can block to deal damage, in a sense. This philosophy of synergy and offering material rewards for defensive play could apply to any number of games, withKingdom Hearts 4being a particularly strong candidate.
Kingdom Hearts Combat Could Come Alive With Sekiro Mechanics
Introducing thebroad-strokes mechanics ofSekiroto a more traditional action-RPG framework, like that ofKingdom Hearts, could pay massive dividends. WhateverKingdom Hearts 4winds up looking like, it’s safe to assume that gear will be a prominent focus, with new Keyblades, abilities, accessories, and the like being unlocked throughout the course of the game. All games in the series have allowed players to personalize their playstyle through these different avenues, and a version ofSekiro’s momentum-based combat would simply add a new dimension to this existing framework.
For example, maybe players who work toward a magic-focused build can unlock an item or skill that makes successful parries return a portion of their MP, providing them with meaningful gameplay rewards without restricting them to a specific playstyle. Alternatively, players who focus on attack power could gain temporary attack buffs with successful parries, players with vitality-focused builds could recover health through parries, et cetera. The crucial element is that parries, or any defensive maneuver for that matter, return immediate rewards, making them more than just a way to avoid damage. In aseries with as much fast-paced combat asKingdom Hearts, such an approach has a chance to deepen gameplay without adulterating its identity.
Kingdom Hearts 4
Kingdom Hearts 4 is an action RPG developed by Square Enix and represents the fifteenth installment in the franchise. Players once again are put in the shoes of Sora who is suddenly trapped in a more realistic world called Quadratum, with companions like Donald and Goofy attempting to rescue him. Kingdom Hearts 4 is a direct sequel to Kingdom Hearts 3 and Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory.
